Minutes
Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Lowell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

In attendance: Lowell, Norm, Jorja, Carl. Bob was absent for health reasons
Norm made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Lowell, motion carried.

After a review of the August 22, 2022 Special Meeting minutes, Norm made a motion to approve the minutes as written, the motion was seconded by Lowell, motion carried

Treasurer: cash and fund balances; received $4475.00 from the Grant for the buoy purchase.

Clerk report:

• Drop Box and early voting information: the drop box slot at the Town Hall can no longer be used to drop absentee ballots. Absentee ballots can either be returned by mail or dropped at the town hall during normal business hours. You may only drop your ballot, not spouse’s or family member or friends.
•  Regarding attendance at County Board and County Zoning Agency meetings, public attendance is allowed, however, public questions or comments are not recognized unless the topic is on the agenda.

• Gerald Theune emailed that he would not be able to attend tonight’s meeting and is asking if the Board and/or Johnson Gravel has addressed the issue of possible noise and dust pollution to the surrounding area if the pit is approved.

• Regarding the ATV/UTV non-binding survey: 1078 surveys were mailed, 430 surveys were returned. The final count is:  YES    181;  NO   247;     2 returned with no vote.

 

Supervisors’ reports:

Norm: congratulations to Carl for the recent mowing efforts

Lowell – no report

Public Works report: Millis Road bridge painted, center stripping has been completed, the back wall of the salt shed has been repaired and he is in final stages of ditch mowing.

Sheriff’s Department incident report:

187 calls – nothing stands out…

 

Johnson Sand & Gravel Q&A:

Randy Johnson and Kevin Clark were in attendance from Johnson Sand and Gravel. They indicated that depending on market trends the gravel pit may average 30-40 truckloads per day. It will vary so that is not a firm number. They had a map indicating the area that encompasses the 13 acres that are now authorized for operation.

Daniel J Dern – asking about blasting – Randy says no blasting. How many trucks a day – depends on the market and how busy.

Dave Monk – question about water, water levels. They will be using surface water and not drilling wells

Sarah Peterson – confirm not drilling well. Randy also explained the noise levels.100 decibels – 675 feet to property line. Takes the noise from 100 to 40 for the crusher. Truck loading about 85 decibels. As the sound travels it dissipates and the levels as charted were for straight line travel and does not consider trees, foliage, berms or other noise abatement that they may develop. All trees will be left to help in noise abatement. Security? – portable cameras – Some concern about people who are using the area for target practice. That activity is only by permission from the owner and does not have anything to do with the gravel company.

Mary Zordel – questioning if the actual area will be70 acres? Randy says going to keep the current footprint for now at 13 acres which the map outlines.

Norm – Since the Town approved travel on R&W Townline Road how will that affect the truck traffic for speed limits and safety.

Kim Monk asking about water depth – in the subdivision. They are not going to drill any wells. He is offering to do a test for water levels and invites public to become involved. She also asked about the hours of operation.

Randy offered to meet anyone to inspect his other sites so they could see how his operations are maintained. Randy is leasing the property and not purchasing. He currently has a 10-year lease. He operates three other sites in Walworth County, also Waukesha and Jefferson Counties They have been in business for 65 years. Walworth County approached them to start the dump actually approached them about re-opening this particular site. They will repair any defects to the land.

Judy Wildermuth – how long do they plan to run the operation (the lease is for 10 years)  What steps will they take to repair the property when no longer viable. The repair to the property is overseen by the County.

Ralph – will there be any dewatering?

Pat Braun – letter from residents on Krahn – too close to school, it will distract and scare children, damage to roads, value decrease, could cause structural damage. Why endanger the highest tax base area?

Has an environmental study done on the project? Whether it is good for the area.

Permitted through the County, air quality is determined by the State. Will guarantee wells. Refer to blasting.

Daniel Dern re: how will speed limits be monitored? He feels that the trucks will not obey the speed limit.

Johnson – will take out a bond to cover the cost of the road repair.

Norm concerned about the way that repairs will be done – Norm does not want an issue questioning who did the damage. Class B – not made for heavy traffic.

Class B – weight limit? No traffic on the roads at all during the spring thaw.

Art Schmitts – concerned about bicycle traffic. Johnson said that they are only going to use the new driveway that exits on R&W. Driveway faces an open field.

Paul Brockmeyer – questioning size of trucks that will be used to remove gravel.

Justin – concerned about dust – rock chips on road –

Fran Cleven – are you planning to expand the area that they will lose. He has not done any testing to see if there is rock on the property.

What is a wheel wash – if dust is a problem they can handle it.

Dave Monk will there still be a vote for yes or no. There is no plan to have a referendum on the next election.

Kim – property is zoned A-1 – which is agricultural. Under zoned – permitted and conditional use. This is a conditional use. She thinks it is residential – the 13 acres are M-1

Norm – the only issue that the Town can address is changing the weight limit on Class B roads.

Gary Benes – asking about the limestone pit and their trucks travel on town roads.

Ralph Wyman – if they found more gravel will they need to do another permit? Conditional use? The response is yes and there would also be required to submit a new restoration plan.

Lowell – concerned about a lawsuit if pit is denied. He feels there may be 10 trucks a day and feels that Johnson is overestimating the truck loads at 100 per day.

Concern raised about the noise level as a result of operating a crushing machine. The machine is portable and is only transported to the site pull as needed.

Mary Zordel – feels that in 10 years she cannot believe that they will not expand beyond. Will trucks be covered? Tarps and wheel flaps are required on all trucks: company owned and contractors.

Sherrie Benes – will the 13 acres be maintained – could be moved to another area of the property. They would repair the original 13 –

Pat Braun – dust clouds could affect the entire area.

 

In general question: – how much gravel is actually left in 13 acre site – person asking feels that they are most likely already planning to expand. Johnson said that they are not sure as to volume left at the site since they have not completed any testing.

First – restoration means to put it back like it was prior to excavation.

Ralph – where is the plan filed? At the Walworth County Zoning department.

Kim – how will the property be protected at night? To keep the kids safe? Per Johnson, there will be surveillance cameras.

After an hour of questions and answers, Lowell called an end to the discussion since many of the questions were repeating other’s concerns.

 

Variance and Encroachment request:

Christina Green, on behalf of John and Sandra Chitjian, presented a variance request and an encroachment application for the property located at N7751 E. Lakeshore Dr.

Christina  has an appointment with the zoning and is hoping to finalize the issue with the Town prior to that meeting.  Norm was addressing questions about the encroachment. Requesting variance for retaining wall and garage – two off street parking, not three. Some changes to the walls – possibly eliminate part of the wall. Concerned about water running on the roadway. Norm made a motion to grant the vaiance and encroachment with the expected changes, Lowell seconded and the motion carried.

City of Whitewater EMS information: John Weidl and Steve Hatton, City of Whitewater re: EMS referendum on November ballot

Steve is finance, John temporary manager. The City of Whitewater has brought the EMS services to the City’s jurisdiction and first responders are going to be City employees. Changes that are proposed will be to staff complete teams for dispatching to ambulance calls. This is change from previous protocol that would not allow for emergency vehicles to lease the facility until a full complement of first responders arrive. That protocol often delayed the response time to emergencies. The new employees will no longer be paid per call, but paid for all full time employment. There will be full accountability and oversight that will be subject to audit. The City’s goal is to provide accountability to the citizens.

The plan is to have 40 EMT’s on staff all day. The changes will add approximately 2.5 million cost annually. There will also be monies allocated for up-graded equipment. Given this dollar amount, the City at the current tax base, there will be a shortfall of $1.4 million. The City is planning to absorb 80% of that cost.

There will be a referendum on the City of Whitewater ballot in November for approval for the proposed plan and dollar increase in taxes. The City is asking for an increase in the contract that is paid to them by the Town of Whitewater. The increase will be approximately $29,000.00 in 2023 and $249,000.00 in 2024.

Discussion/decision regarding purchase of a grapple bucket which is an add-on to the tractor and will help with tree removal. The Kubota will handle the additional weight for the bucket. Ther will be some adjustment regarding hose attachments that will be permanently affixed to the tractor. The cost would be about $5640.  Lowell made a motion to buy a grapple bucket, Norm seconded and the motion carried.

Discussion/decision regarding charges to Sheriff’s department for their use of internet/office space at Town Hall – received inquiry from the Clerk in Walworth regarding if Whitewater charges the Sheriff’s department for the shared space and internet. Sharon, I believe, charges $400.00 per year. Is this something to consider? Not an issue with the Board and no change will be made.

 

Public input:

Gene Bembenek asked who maintains State Park Road. The Town does all maintenance and isreimbursed by the DNR. He indicated that the road is in serious need for repair. The Town is aware of the condition and is waiting for the DNR to approve the cost of repair.

At the corner of W. Lakeshore Drive and State Park Rd cars are continuously running the stop sign.

Lillian Roy asked what the Town was going to do about ATV/UTV traffic since the survey was completed. The Town will go along with the majority, NO vote and then wait to see what the County’s decision is and if County says OK for accessibility to ATV/UTV vehicles, then the Town would follow their lead.

 

The Board reviewed and paid bills

Norm made a motion for final adjournment, seconded by Lowell and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

 

Respectively submitted by Jorja Boiley Clerk/Treasurer